The Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame, located in the western NSW town of Hay, has great pleasure in announcing the induction of a further group of shearing legends into the Hall of Fame. This will take place next Easter at the Festival of the Blades, on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April, 2015.

In releasing the names of the newly-honoured inductees, Ian Auldist Chair of the Shear Outback Board, said “The 2015 Inductees, the late Mark Conlan – Kyneton Vic, the late Maurice Doyle – Dookie Vic, Dick Duggan - Maryborough Vic, Ian Elkins – Canberra ACT, and Kevin Gellatly – Perth WA, were selected from more than 30 nominations by a national independent selection panel. Each of these men represented the industry and influenced its development in their own way. They were well-known in the world of shearing, and should be acknowledged for their outstanding contributions.”

Families and friends are invited to join with other shearing industry enthusiasts at Shear Outback in the historic Murray Downs Woolshed on Easter Sunday. As a backdrop the Festival of the Blades activities will include a dinner and social program, an open Yard Dog Trial on Easter Saturday in the Shear Outback yards, tours of local iconic shearing sheds, blade shearing demonstrations, and a national Sheep Cooperative Research Centre program.

The Festival will also have a "Shear Stories" theme aimed at stimulating the recording and interpretation of the lives of people associated with the industry. Central to this theme will be a forum which will draw on the experiences of writers who have been successful in the publication of stories about characters and personalities from the disappearing shearing culture. At this stage writers who will be contributing include Denis McIntosh, Evan McHugh, Freda Marnie Nicholls, Rory O'Malley, Geoff Barrett, Lorraine Roberts, Valerie Hobson, Ken Prato, and Andrew Chapman who has used photographs to document the world of shearers. A competition for short stories with an industry connection will be part of the lead-up to the Festival.

The Shear Outback Board gives an open invitation to all those who are fascinated by the shearing industry and its history, the world of sheep and wool, and the people who continue to work the sheds on the dusty plains of inland Australia. The Shear Outback Cafe will be open so you can enjoy smoko or lunch or just catch up with the friends and supporters of Shear Outback, and experience the distinctive hospitality of Hay.

For further information or bookings for the festivities please contact: